TEENAGE ace Tom Clarke returns to the first-team fray at Bristol City tomorrow (3.00) aiming to pile on the misery for Town old boy Marcus Stewart.

The England Under 19 centre-back makes his first appearance since the LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Boston in mid-October as second-placed Town aim to hit back after Tuesday's disappointing 2-2 draw at MK Dons by beating League I's basement side at Ashton Gate.

Not only did Peter Jackson's men give away two goals in the last 10 minutes against the Dons, but they also had David Mirfin and Chris Brandon sent off, meaning both are banned tomorrow.

Clarke, 17, takes the place of Mirfin to resume his partnership with 22-year-old brother Nathan in the heart of defence.

Boss Jackson has yet to confirm who will come in for Brandon, with Danny Schofield, who returns from a one-match ban, Adnan Ahmed, Tony Carss and Michael Collins all candidates.

The form book suggests a fifth away League win of the season for Town, with Bristol City aiming to avoid a 10th successive defeat in all competitions.

But Jackson insists there will be no complacency as a symbol of Town's future in the shape of Tom Clarke pits his wits against a symbol of the past in Stewart, whose close-season switch from Sunderland to the club he supported as a child has turned distinctly sour.

The 33-year-old, who controversially left Town for Ipswich in a £2.5m deal in February 2000, has managed only four goals so far and was hauled off after 62 minutes of Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat to Bradford City.

But Jackson, who had the former Bristol Rovers striker under his command during his first spell as Town manager, warned: "Any club takes Marcus Stewart lightly at their peril, and he isn't the only decent player they have.

"I know that with the squad they have, they are a far better side than their current position would suggest.

"So far it hasn't worked out as they would have hoped, and they lost again in midweek against Bradford, although according to my scout at the game, they were good enough to have won.

"The fact we only drew at MK Dons means it is more important than ever that we get three points tomorrow."

Leaders Swansea, who went two points clear of Town by beating Scunthorpe 2-0 on Tuesday, have another home game, this time against Colchester.